The Lake Forest City Council marked a transition May 4 as two departing aldermen said goodbye and two new members were sworn in.
At the May 4 City Council meeting, Alderman Edward “Ted” Notz, 2nd, and Alderwoman Eileen Looby Weber, 4th, said their goodbyes after serving the city’s customary terms in office for council members. Later in the meeting, Rosemary Kehr and Lloyd Culbertson were sworn in to succeed them.
In their final meeting, Notz and Weber reflected on their years in city government.
Notz was appointed to the City Council in 2019 to fill a vacancy and was later elected to three two-year terms. Before joining the council, he served on the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and Building Review Board (BRB).
“It’s been some of the most rewarding work one could hope to be involved in,” he said.
Notz encouraged residents interested in civic affairs to get involved in the city’s boards and commissions. He also expressed concern about what he described as “unchecked social media” spreading information quickly and urged residents to contact their aldermen directly with questions.
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“You’ve elected us to be on the council to be your eyes and ears,” he said. “If we don’t have an answer for you, we’ll get it.”
Weber, who was elected to the City Council in 2020, previously chaired the city’s Environmental Sustainability Committee and also served on the board of Committee Representing Our Young Adults (CROYA).
“Each of these opportunities has allowed me to learn with purpose, to serve with joy, and lead with integrity,” she said.
Weber also alluded to some challenging times for the city over the past few years.
“Through it all, this community has shown resilience, strength and a deep commitment to one another,” she said.
Other City Council members praised the work of Notz and Weber.
“I appreciate both of you more than you will ever know,” Mayor Stanford Tack said.
Tack later presented Notz and Weber with resolutions expressing gratitude for their service.
The council then swore in Kehr and Culbertson as the new representatives of the 2nd and 4th wards, respectively.
Previously, Kehr served on the city’s Plan Commission and ZBA, while Culbertson served on the BRB, ZBA and the Plan Commission.
“Neither of you are strangers to public service, and your prior record of volunteerism in the community speaks for itself,” City Manager Jason Wicha said.
Kehr and Culbertson were sworn in alongside incumbents Nancy Novit, 1st, and Alice LeVert, 3rd, both of whom were elected to new terms in the March election.
All four candidates ran without formal opposition in the election.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.